Hook type surface mounted connector

ABSTRACT

AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR OF A HOOK TYPE TO BE MOUNTED ON WALL SURFACES, WHICH CONSISTS OF A RECEPTACLE SUBSTANTIALLY IN A BOX SHAPE INCLUDING ELECTRIC TERMINALS FOR CONNECTION WITH AN ELECTRIC SOURCE, AND A PLUG BODY SUBSTANTIALLY IN A BOX SHAPE INCLUDING PLUG BLADES FOR CONNECTION WITH SAID TERMINALS TO PLUG IN ELECTRIC DEVICES. EACH PLUG BLADE IS PROVIDED WITH A HOOKING MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH AN INSIDE SURFACE OF THE RECEPTACLE BOX ADJACENT TO AN INSERTING HOLE FOR THE BLADE WHEN THE LATTER IS INSERTED INTO CONTACT RELATION WITH ONE OF SAID TERMINALS, AND THEN PULLED SUBSTANTIALLY DOWNWARD ALONG THE TERMINAL. THE INSERTING AND PULLING OPERATIONS PROVIDE BOTH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND A STABLE FIXING OF THE PLUG BODY TO THE RECEPTACLE. THE STABLE FIXING BE IMPROVED BY THE PROVISION OF A HOOK RECEIVING MEANS IN THE PLUG BODY AND A CORRESPONDING RECEIVER MEANS IN THE RECEPTACLE.

Feb. 16, 1971 KIY J YAMANAKA ETAL' v 3,564,482

- HOOK TYPE SURFACE MOUNTED CONNECTORv Filed July 5, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet1 PR OR ART INVENTORS KIYOJI YAMANAKA SAoAo FUKUZAWA ATTORNEYS Feb. 16,1971 KIYOJI YAMANAKA ET L HOOK TYPE SURFACE MOUNTED CONNECTOR Filed July5, 1968 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS KIYOJI YAMANAKA- v SAoAo FUKUZAWAATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1971 KIYQJ] YAMANAKA HAL 3 3,564,482

HOOK TYPE SURFACE MOUNTED CONNECTOR Filed July 3, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 87 SAoAo FUKUZAWA M L/Mal ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1971 KIYOJI YAMANAKA T3,564,432

HOOK TYPE SURFACE MOUNTED CONNECTOR Filed July 3, l968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

United States Patent 3,564,482 HOOK TYPE SURFACE MOUNTED CONNECTORKiyoji Yamanaka and Sadao Fukuzawa, Karloma-shi, Osaka, Japan, assignorsto Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., Osaka, Japan, a corporation of JapanFiled July 3, 1968, Ser. No. 742,436 Claims priority, application Japan,July 7, 1967, 42/43,809, 42/58,845; Sept. 26, 1967, 42/81,965; Mar. 19,1968, 43/21,760

Int. Cl. H01r 13/54 US. Cl. 339-91 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREAn electrical connector of a hook type to be mounted on wall surfaces,which consists of a receptacle substantially in a box shape includingelectric terminals for connection with an electric source, and a plugbody substantially in a box shape including plug blades for connectionwith said terminals to plug in electric devices. Each plug blade isprovided with a hooking means for engagement with an inside surface ofthe receptacle box adjacent to an inserting hole for the blade when thelatter is inserted into contact relation with one of said terminals, andthen pulled substantially downward along the terminal. The inserting andpulling operations provide both the electrical connection and a stablefixing of the plug body to the receptacle. The stable fixing may beimproved by the provision of a hook receiving means in the plug body anda corresponding receiver means in the receptacle.

This invention relates to a hook type surface mounted connector, to andfrom which not only an attachment plug cap but also a bracket can befreely attached and detached.

In fixing a bracket to a wall surface, it has been general practice toscrew it directly to the Wall surface by using mounting holes made onthe attaching surface of the body or to mount it on a standard box.Further, as a special device, there has been used a mounting deviceconsisting of a mounting plate having a connector and a hook receiver.

However, in the system of screwing a bracket directly to a wall surfaceor to a standard box, the connection of the inner conductor of thebracket with the internal wiring is a problem in view of safety and isdifficult to do. On the other hand, it is desirable that the bracket mayhe often replaced in conformity with the taste of any dweller. For thispurpose, there is required a surface mounted connector which is easy toattach to and de tach from the wall surface, and yet will not bedetached by any accidental vibrations or shocks. Further, in the lattercase of using a special mounting device, the component parts will be ofa large number, the cost will be high and a heavy load will be appliedto the conductor connecting part.

When a connector of a reciprocal locking type having arcuate insertingholes d as is shown in FIG. 1 is used so that plug blades b of a plug amay be fitted to the bracket body and a plug socket c may be fitted to awall surface, the bracket will be easy to detach, so that a surfacemounted connector with a stable electric connection will be obtained,and a hook type standard plug a may be used. But, as it is a reciprocaltype connector, it will be difiicult to determine the angle of thebracket in a fixed position, where the connector will be vertical afterbeing reciprocated. Further, since the bracket has to be set in with acertain inclination and then fitted into the fixed position by rotatingthe same, the operation will be troublesome to general users. Thus,there 3,564,482 Patented Feb. 16, 1971 "ice are problems in using suchreciprocally locked connector to attach a bracket, together with thefact that this connector has no universality. The present invention hasbeen suggested to eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages ofconventional connectors.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a surface mountedconnector which can be used together with an attachment plug cap and abracket, is easy to attach and detach, can easily have a bracketattached in a fixed position, will not be accidentally detached byvibrations or shocks and is stable in the electric contact.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a conventional connector, showing a plug anda receptacle, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle in the surfacemounted connector of the present invention, respective parts being shownas disassembled.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate respectively a plan view and a rear view of acase of the receptacle, and FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional viewon line III-III in FIG. 33.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a combination of a mount ing frame,insulating block and female contact plates in the receptacle, asassembled, FIG. 4A being a plan view and FIG. 4B being a side view.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a plug body of the connector, showing aplan view, an elevation and a side view of the body, respectively.

FIG. 6 illustrates the plug body as inserted into the receptacle.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show the order of inserting the plug body into thereceptacle.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an illuminating device incorporating a plugbody of the present invention, showing a side view and a rear view ofthe device, respectively.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will be herein described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit theinvention to the particular forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, it isintended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In FIG. 2, 1 is a receptacle and 2 is a case for the receptacle. Pluginserting holes 3 and 4 parallel with each other are made substantiallyin the middle of the upper surface of the case 2 and, further, slots 5and 6 parallel with the inserting holes 3 and 4 are made near both sidesof the case 2. 7 is a tapped hole. A screw 8 is inserted into the screwhole 7 and is rotated to be screwed into a tapped hole 25 or 25 in thelater described mounting frame 23 so that the mounting frame 23 may befixed to the case 2. The details of the case 2 are shown in FIGS. 3A, 3Band 30, which being a plan view, a view as seen from the back and asectioned view on line IIIIII in FIG. 3B, respectively. 7 is a bossaround the tapped hole 7. 9 and 9 are angle plate springs having aninclined surface and riveted to the case 2 respectively in projectedparts 10 and 10 provided on the inside surface of the case 2. 11 is arib to improve the mechanical strength of the case and to guide thereceptacle 1.

Again in FIG. 2, 12 and 12' are metallic female contact plates made bybending a metal plate. 13 and 13' are contact areas of said femalecontact plates 12 and 12' being made by overlapping two edges of saidbent metal plate. 14, 15, 14' and 15 are terminal parts at each end ofthe contact parts. 16 is a terminal screw and 17 is a nut,

both being fitted in the terminal part 14, 15, 14' or 15'. 18 is aninsulating block made of a synthetic resin and provided with smallchambers 20 and 21 containing the female contact plates 12 and 12 oneach side of a partition wall 19 separating the chambers in thelongitudinal direction. 22 is a rivet or a screw embedded or screwed inthe bottom of the insulating block 18'. 23 is a mounting-frame made of ametal plate and provided with engaging piece receivers 24 and 24' bentupwardly in the form of L on each side. 25 and 25 are tapped holes. 26is a hole in which the rivet 22 embedded in the bottom of the insulatingblock is to be inserted and calked to fix the mounting frame 23 to theinsulating block 18. 27 is a hole to be used to fix the mounting frameto a wall surface. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the female contact plates 12 and12', insulating block 18 and mounting frame 23 as assembled alltogether.

In FIGS. 5A to SC, 28 is a plug body. 29 is a main body of the plug bodymade in the form of a box of a synthetic resin. Each of 30 and 31 is aplug blade provided witha hook 32 at the tip and, at the other end, witha base part 33 bent in the form of L. The blades 30 and 31 are to beriveted or screwed to the inner surface of the main body 29. The plugblades 30 and 31 are arranged parallelly with each other in the middleof the main body. 34 and 34 are hook receivers having a hook 35 at thetip, respectively, and riveted or screwed in the base part 36 to theinner surface of the main body 29. The hook receivers 34 and 34' arearranged parallelly and as spaced from each other so as to be near bothsides of the main body, respectively. 37 is a hole made in a boss 38provided in the plug body 28, aligned with holes 39 and 40 maderespectively on the front and back surfaces of the plug body 28 andforming a through hole to attach and fix the plug body 28 to a bracketof an electric device.

FIG. 6 shows the plug body 28 as inserted into the receptacle 1 andshown partially in a special section fragmental, so that the relationbetween the blades and hook receivers as fitted may be understood. Itwill be seen here that the plug blade 30 is inserted and held in thecontact part 13 of the female contact plate 12 and is in contact at theupper side with the plate spring 9. Further, the hook receiver 34 isshown as engaged with the engaging piece receiver 24 of the mountingframe 23, at its hook 35.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show, as an application of the present invention, anilluminating device incorporating the plug body 28 of the presentinvention. The plug body 28 is housed and fixed on the back surface ofan arm 43 holding a shade 42 and a lamp therein (not illustrated). Theplug body 28 is housed in recesses made in the rear side surface of thearm 43 of the above mentioned illuminating device, and fixed to the armby means of screws 44 insorted through aligned through holes 37, 39 and40 made in the main body 29. 45 is an electric wire passed through agroove 46 provided in the rear side surface of the arm 43 so as to forman electrical connection between the plug body 28- and the lamp in theshade 42. 47 is an electric wire pressing plate to prevent the electricwire 45 from being removed out of the groove 46.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 70, the order of combining the plug body 28with the receptacle 1, specifically with reference to the plug blade 30and contact area 13, is shown here. As shown in FIG. 7A, the plug body28 will be first moved in the direction X so that the plug blade 30 isinserted into the contact area 13 of the female contact plates 12,through the plug inserting hole 3. The plug body 28 is then pulleddownward (in the direction Y), as shown in FIG. 7B, so that the plugblade 30 will move downward (in the direction Y) in the female contactplates 12 made in a long shape. Finally as shown in FIG. 7C, the hook 32of the plug blade 30 will come into contact with the plate springs 9 sothat the plug body 28 may be secured to the receptacle 1, and anelectrical contact may be simultaneously made.

It will be apparent that, while the above description has been made withreference only to the plug blade 30, the other plug blade 31 will bebrought into contact with the female contact plates 12' simultaneouslyduring the above operation.

Further, while only the order of combining the plug blade 30 or 31 ofthe plug body 28 with the receptacle 1 has been described with referenceto FIGS. 7A to 70, it will be understood that the combination of thehook receivers 34 and 34 of the plug body 28 with the receptacle will bealso made at the same time. That is to say, when the hook receivers 34and 34 are inserted respectively into the slots 5 and 6 in thereceptacle 1, and then the plug body 28 is pulled down, the hooks 35 ofthe hook receivers 34 and 34' will be engaged respectively with theengaging piece receivers 24 and 24' of the mounting frame 23 so that themechanical strength for fixing the plug blades 30 and 31 will beincreased. As the plug body 28 is secured directly to the mounting frame23 which is to be fixed to a wall surface, the increased strength atthis part will be so high as to be sufficient even when a heavyilluminating device is connected to the plug body 28. It should be notedthat this latter combining part contributes nothing to the electricconnection.

When the plug blade 30 and hook receiver 34 are to be separated from thereceptacle 1, the plug body 28 may be operated reversely to the abovedescribed combining operation.

Further, the plug blade 30 may be made longer than the plug blade 31 inthe parallel direction to the latter blade, and the plug inserting hole3 may be made longer than the plug inserting hole 4 in accordance withthe length of the plug blade 30, so that the plug blades 30 and 31 maybe prevented from being reversely inserted into the holes by mistake.

Thus, the surface mounted connector according to the present inventionconsists of the receptacle 1 and the plug body 28, the former of whichhaving the case 2 containing the mounting frame 23 fixed to the case 2and the insulating block 18 fixed to said frame and provided with thefemale contact plates 12 and 12 including the contact areas 13 and 13'formed therein, the latter of which having the main body 29 providedwith the plug blades 30 and 31 fixed to the body and including the hooks32 formed therein and with the hook receivers 34 and 34' likely fixed tothe body and including the hooks 35. The electrical connection of thereceptacle 1 with the plug body 28 may be easily performed at the sametime when the plug body 28 is secured to the receptacle in a ready andsimple manner, as the plug blades 30 and 31 and the hook receivers 34are inserted respectively into the plug inserting holes 3 and 4 formedto be longer than the standard inserting hole and into the slots 5 and 6and are engaged respectively with the plate springs 9 and the engagingpiece receivers 24 and 24. Therefore, when the mounting part of thebracket body (FIGS. 8A and 8B) 41 is fixed to the surface of the mainbody 29 of the plug body 28 or the plug body 28 is integrally formed onthe back surface of the bracket body 41, a bracket mounting device whichcan be easily attached and detached may be obtained. Further, there canbe obtained a surface mounted connector which can be used toegther withan ordinary attachment plug cap and may be set anywhere on a wallsurface.

An important feature of the present invention is that, whereas it hasbeen difficult to regulate the position in conventional hook typeconnectors to be reciprocally locked, according to the presentinvention, when the plug body 28 is inserted into the receptacle 1 andis then moved downward (in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in thecase as illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C), the female contact plates 12 and12 will respectively contact with and hold the plug blades 30 and 31,the respective hooks 32 will engage with the plate springs 9 and 9 onthe back surface of the case 2 of the receptatcle 1 and, at the sametime, the respective hook receivers 34 and 34' will engage with theengaging piece receivers 24 and 24 of the mounting frame 23, and,therefore, there can be obtained a surface mounted connector in whichthe bracket can be correctly mounted on a wall surface by a simpleoperation and will not be accidentally detached by any undesirablevibrations or shocks and hence the stable electrical connection isperformed.

What is claimed is:

1. A surface mounted connector comprising in combination a receptacleand a plug body, said receptacle comprising a case made of an insulatingmaterial and forming plug inserting holes parallel with each othersubstantially in the middle of the case and a pair of slots parallelwith said plug inserting holes, a mounting frame made of a metal andattached to the back surface of said case, an insulating block fixed tosaid mounting frame and containing female contact plates having contactareas, and an engaging piece receiver having a bent part at the tip oneach side of the mounting frame, and said plug body comprising plugblades each having a hook at the tip, an insulating main body to whichsaid plug blades are fixed parallelly with each other and a pair ofengaging pieces each having a hook at the tip parallelly With the plugblades.

2. The surface mounted connector according to claim 1, in which saidreceptacle is provided on the inside wall surface below the pluginserting holes of the receptacle with angle plate springs each havingan inclined surface.

3. A surface mounted connector comprising the combination of areceptacle and a plug body, said receptacle comprising front and backsections, the front section being made of an insulating material andforming plug inserting holes parallel with each other substantially inthe middle of the front section, and an insulating block fixed to saidback section and containing a pair of substantially parallel femalecontact plates aligned with each of said plug inserting holes with theopposed surfaces of each of said pairs of contact plates forming areceptatcle extending across the respective plug inserting hole forengaging opposite sides of a plug blade immediately upon insertion ofsaid blade into said hole, said plug body comprising plug blades eachhaving a hook at the tip and adapted to fit between and engage saidopposed surfaces of said female contact plates when inserted into saidplug inserting holes, and an insulating main body to which said plugblades are fixed parallelly with each other, the front section and saidplug body having opposed surfaces adapted to engage each other uponinsertion of said plug blades into said receptacles, and spring meansmounted independently of said contact plates on the inside of the frontsection for engaging said hooks on said plug blades when inserted intosaid plug inserting holes and moved parallel to said contact plates,said spring plates being mounted to bias said plug blades away from thefront section and toward said back section whereby said opposed surfacesof said front section and said plug body are biased against each other.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,727,368 9/1926 Eustice 33991(F)2,170,359 8/1939 Wirth 339191X MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner L.J. STAAB, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

